Search
Search

GAZA WAR

Egypt in touch with Hamas and Israel in search of Gaza ceasefire deal, sources say

Israeli soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Gaza war, in this handout picture released on Mar. 10, 2024. (Credit: Reuters)

Egypt was in contact with senior Hamas and Israeli figures as well as other mediators on Sunday to restart negotiations for a truce in the Gaza Strip during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Monday or Tuesday, two Egyptian security sources said.

Egypt's contacts with Hamas and Israeli intelligence agency Mossad on Sunday were carried out under a mandate from the Egyptian presidency in an effort to bring the two sides' divergent positions together, the sources said, without providing further details.

Qatar, Egypt and the United States have been trying to negotiate a deal for a ceasefire during Ramadan in return for the release of Israel hostages captured in the attack that Hamas carried out on Oct. 7, sparking the war in Gaza.

The latest round of talks, not attended by Israel, broke up in Cairo this week.

Israel's Mossad said on Saturday that efforts to secure a deal were ongoing, despite dimming hopes for securing a truce before Ramadan starts.

Egypt was in contact with
senior Hamas and Israeli figures as well as other mediators on
Sunday to restart negotiations for a truce in the
Gaza Strip during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins
on Monday or Tuesday, two Egyptian security sources said.
Egypt's contacts with Hamas and Israeli intelligence agency
Mossad on Sunday were carried out under a...